I hear Vitex is a God send next to Clomid, is that true? - Page 3

[Sunshine4me]

MegEliz, I think you should try it! It helps many women with ovulation since it regulates your hormones. Some of my friends with PCOS got pregnant from Vitex. They didn't ovulate every month. It took one of thme a month to get pregnant and the other 6 months.

[Sunshine4me]

Originally Posted by jrose_lee 

Well, it looks like I am about to start vitex again!  I posted earlier and explained that taking vitext was the only way I was able to get pregnant with ds1 and ds2.  I was kind of hoping that after lots of healthy eating these past years my cycles would be better this time.  Not looking likely.  Just had only a 5 day luteal phase and then the spotting began, which turned into AF today at only 8 days past ovulation. 

You know, I have heard that liquid vitext is better than capsules.  However, that being said, we concieved ds1 using capusules (femaprin) and ds2 using liquid vitex.  I'll probably use liquid again this time since I heard it works better.  Just to give others hope, we concieved both times my first cycle of taking vitex.

If we can concieve again I will probably take the vitex until 10 weeks and taper off again.  The unicorn root sounds good, but I guess I would just be nervous to switch the "routine" of what has worked in the past.  With each pregnancy I took vitex til 10 weeks and then lessened it before going off and we've got two great and healthy boys. 

Concerning the above question, I think that vitex would be great for someone who ovulates some of the time.  I hope that after you are on it you will find you ovulate all the time :o)  I know that I actually didn't ovulate at all (started temping and realized this with my midwife) before taking vitex the first time to concieve.  I started ovulating right away. 

Good luck everyone!  I think I will probably start taking it again within the next month or so.

I want to try the liquid Vitex instead of the capsules but the capsules are soo much easier. Ever since you said earlier that you became pregnant because of the capsule form, I have had so much hope! I was curious, you say you didn't ovulate at all before it, did you have regular periods? I have a period every month but its never the same cycle. It ranges from 28 to 36. So I was just wondering.

[treehugginhippie]

OT: Just wanted to throw this out there since there might be some discussion about inducing ovulation. I just used progesterone cream to induce ovulation (after weaning DD2 3 mo ago). I had never heard of using progesterone cream to induce ovulation (always read to use *after* ovulation) but for someone like me (who I suspect some adreanal fatigue symptoms...progesterone is very good for the adrenal glands...never knew this either) it worked (I think...not 100% sure I ovulated but got AF so that's good)... just wanted to pass this info along in case it might help someone else :)

p.s.- I'm taking vitex too and just started the false unicorn today.

[geek_the_girl]

Alright. So ive got a question for those who have been taking Vitex or Femaprin for awhile or who have concieved on it. Did it make things worse for you before it got better? I know it takes time to start working but its actually making things worse for me.

 Before taking Femaprin my cycles were pretty much around 26-30 days but I had a short LP and spotted for days before AF came. Im on month #2 of Femaprin and my periods have gone down to 22 day cycles with and even shorter LP and my temps are low. Acording to Fertility Friend  I have not ovulated the past two cycles (ever since I started Femaprin)

So...WTF? Anyone have any insight?

FYI for those wondering what Femaprin is its a combo of Vitex and B6

This is so frusterating.

[geek_the_girl]

Darn computer wont let me edit so ill post again. My cycles are now actually 20-22 days (af is getting ready to rear her head now and ive got bright red spotting) since taking the Femaprin.



And I am breaking out and have some raging PMS. How can this be if I didnt even ovulate and have low temps?





Edited to add- It has also been making me more anxious and paranoid not to mention depressed. I know many have had success with it but I don't think it's for everyone from what I have been reading and from my own experience so far. I'm not willing to risk things getting worse to see if it eventually kicks in or not either so am stopping it.

Good luck to you all! For the most part I have heard wonderful things about it, it's just not for me.

[Sunshine4me]

A quick question I have been thinking about today. Even though it isn't about Vitex. What is your diet? Exercising?

[jrose_lee]

sunshine4me- Yes, even when I was not ovulating I was still getting periods so I would have never known if I had not started charting.  If I remember corrently my cycles were on the long side back then as well.

[chicajones]

I exercise about 3-4 times a week, 20 minutes of cardio plus some weights. We eat very healthy--lots of "real food." I drink raw goat milk when we can get it at the farmers' market and eat lots of healthy fats (like nuts, butter, etc). I don't eat much sugar, usually just stick with honey when I want to sweeten things. We usually eat a mix of fish, vegetarian, and organic chicken--I don't eat red meat very often, mainly just because it's too expensive for us to buy the free-range kind often. I've been trying to eat more to gain a little weight (I'm 5'3" and 102 lbs) but it's not done a thing. I come from a line of pretty tiny people, so I think I'm just stuck with being underweight for now. I have a feeling my weight may be part of the reason I'm not ovulating/getting my cycle much, but it's the weight I've always been and I'm not stick thin or anything, just tiny.

 

How about you guys?

 

P.S. Not pregnant (tested last night)--but I don't think it was the Vitex either. I think it was the new multi-vitamin I started taking combined with the smoothie not being enough of a "meal." The store was out of pre-natals so I got a women's multi-vitamin (it had 100% folic acid). That should be an ok substitute, right?

[APToddlerMama]

Originally Posted by Sunshine4me 

APToddlerMama, I ovulated and am 8 DPO

Why are you thinking it couldn't be implantation spotting?  I had bright red, pink, and brown implantation spotting from 4-5 DPO through 10 DPO.  Maybe it is!!  Good luck!

[Sunshine4me]

Originally Posted by APToddlerMama 

Why are you thinking it couldn't be implantation spotting?  I had bright red, pink, and brown implantation spotting from 4-5 DPO through 10 DPO.  Maybe it is!!  Good luck!

Really? The only things I hear about implantation bleeding is that it is usually dark and not bright like mine was. That is interesting. I think it is so strange because I cannot find that side effect anywhere online. Someone said on here that they saw that it may be a side effect but I have not seen that anywhere with fresh blood spotting for a day or two. From what I remember, it was like 2 spots and I noticed it maybe 3 times that day. The next day I saw it once and I haven't seen it since. It was very noticeable but def. not a regular period. I wish it was implantation bleeding but also don't have any other pregnancy symptom. I have never been pregnant yet so I guess I don't know what to expect but I am praying. This is my first month using Vitex but have a lot of hope.

Thanks for the info and if you have anymore I would love to hear more:)

[APToddlerMama]

Originally Posted by Sunshine4me 

Really? The only things I hear about implantation bleeding is that it is usually dark and not bright like mine was. That is interesting. I think it is so strange because I cannot find that side effect anywhere online. Someone said on here that they saw that it may be a side effect but I have not seen that anywhere with fresh blood spotting for a day or two. From what I remember, it was like 2 spots and I noticed it maybe 3 times that day. The next day I saw it once and I haven't seen it since. It was very noticeable but def. not a regular period. I wish it was implantation bleeding but also don't have any other pregnancy symptom. I have never been pregnant yet so I guess I don't know what to expect but I am praying. This is my first month using Vitex but have a lot of hope.

Thanks for the info and if you have anymore I would love to hear more:)

Here is the thread about the implantation spotting. 

http://www.mothering.com/community/forum/thread/1303827/mid-cycle-spotting-and-freaked-out-an-update-bfp#post_16348034 
 

How many DPO are you?  Are you going to test soon? 

[Sunshine4me]

Hi everyone! I haven't been on in so long. Life has been busy! Sure you all can relate. I wanted to update you. My AF came yesterday :( I noticed I have the same cramping as if I wasn't taking Vitex and also a heavy period, if not heavier but not much. It was my first full month of Vitex though so I have hope for the future month or two. I was also taking Maca but not anymore. I think im allergic to it. BUMMER, so my hubby is taking it along with Zinc. I am now taking baby aspirin once a day. Praying that works! I want it to happen so bad but trying not to stress about it which I think I am doing a good job for the circumstances. I would love to be pregnant this summer. Wouldn't we all who is trying! lol. How is everyone?

[Drummer's Wife]

Hope next month is it for you, Sunshine!

This is my first cycle taking Vitex, and the only difference I have noticed so far is my nails have grown a lot quicker (could just be coincidence). 

[sk8queen]

How long do i need to be on vitex before i can get pregnant

[SpiralChrissy]

I think it can start working right away, right? I think I need to up my Vitex based on what y'all are saying. I'm not taking enough. I may try to switch to the liquid once my current bottle of pills run out. I have been having some breakthru bleeding but I think that's more about some other meds I've been taking and my stress level. So, if I'm getting it right, 800 - 1000 mg is a good level of Vitex? 

And how does it actually work? My cycle has been short and I've heard that it can help regulate that. Are their other benefits I'm not aware of? 

Thanks for your help. We're ttc #2 a.s.a.p!

SpiralChrissy

[Sunshine4me]

BUMP!

Ladies, how is everyone doing? Still using Vitex? Anyone get their BFP? I haven't but I still have hope. I just finished my second cycle, so I thought.  Last month, I ended up starting my period ending with a 32 day cycle. I took 1200 MG Capsule form last month. This month I took 800 and so far my cycle length is 33 days and still no period. I don't understand because I have had period like cramps the past couple nights. I could of swore that the Vitex was going to make my cycle shorter than 33 days ( so far) UGHHH! Help?

[naturallyspeaking]

HI,

I read the whole thread and still am not sure what Vitex exactly does to improve? Is it a pill form?  I just looked up online and I see some herbal form where it looks like you make a tea, maybe?

There are so many supplement people talk about here I don't know which ones are safe to take together or during nursing...